Heating apparatus using hot water and steam

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to a heating apparatus using hot water and steam, in which a heater receives and heats a source water to generate hot water and steam, and the mixture of hot water and steam is automatically circulated inside a heating pipe due to an expansion force of the generated steam. According to the heating apparatus of the invention, the heater is supplied with a source water and heats the source water to generate hot water and steam. The generated hot water and steam is automatically circulated inside the heating pipe in a state of mixture of hot water and steam, thereby eliminating the need for a separate circulating means for circulating the hot water and steam.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a heating apparatus using hot water andsteam. More specifically, the invention relates to a heating apparatususing hot water and steam, in which a heater receives and heats a sourcewater to generate hot water and steam, and the mixture of hot water andsteam is automatically circulated inside a heating pipe due to anexpansion force of the generated steam.

BACKGROUND ART

Generally, a heating apparatus used in a heating mat and the likeincludes a heating water tank for storing the heating water, a heaterfor heating the heating water to produce hot water, a circulation pumpfor circulating the hot water, and a heating pipe arranged in theheating mat.

In this conventional heating apparatus, the heating water stored in theheating water tank is supplied to the heater, and the heater heats upthe heating water to generate hot water. The circulation pump operatesto circulate the hot water inside the heating pipe.

However, the conventional heating apparatus is configured such that thecirculation pump is employed to circulate hot water. Therefore, noisesand electromagnetic waves are caused by the operation of a circulationpump. Further, failure of the circulation pump leads to a shortenedlifespan of the entire heating apparatus.

In this connection, Korean Patent No. 10-0312643 issued on Dec. 28, 2001as a prior art discloses a liquid-circulation type heating apparatus.This heating apparatus includes a heat radiation member, a circulationpipe arranged inside the heat radiation member, a heating means coupledto the circulation pipe for heating a liquid accommodated inside thecirculation pipe, a pressure buffering means for buffering the pressureof the liquid expanded by operation of the heating means to therebyenable the liquid to circulate, a first back-flow prevention meansinstalled between the heating means and the pressure buffering means,and a second back-flow prevention means installed to be opposed to thefirst back-flow prevention means. This heating apparatus is structuredsuch that the liquid flowing in the circulation pipe inside of the heatradiation member is heated by heat transmission, and pressure generatedinside the circulation pipe can be absorbed when automaticallycirculating the liquid using expansion force of the liquid.

In the above liquid-circulation type heating apparatus, however, sinceliquid is circulated by an expansion force generated by heating theliquid, a high pressure is caused inside the circulation pipe.Therefore, a separate pressure buffering means is required to buffer thehigh pressure.

In addition, a heavy duty circulation pipe is required to endure thehigh internal pressure, which leads to an increase in the entire weightof the heating apparatus. In order to prevent explosion of thecirculation pipe due to the internal pressure, the circulation pipe isrequired to be wrapped around with a woven structure, thereby resultingin an increase in the production cost and a decrease in the heattransmission efficiency.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION Technical Problem

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in an effort to solvethe above-mentioned problems occurring in the prior art, and it is aprimary object of the present invention to provide a heating apparatususing hot water and steam, in which a heater receives and heats a sourcewater to generate hot water and steam, and the mixture of hot water andsteam is automatically circulated inside a heating pipe due to anexpansion force of the generated steam.

Another object of the invention is to provide a heating apparatus usinghot water and steam, which can avoid noises and electromagnetic wavescaused by circulation of hot water and steam.

Technical Solution

To accomplish the above object of the present invention, according tothe present invention, there is provided a heating apparatus using hotwater and steam. The apparatus comprises: a source water tank forstoring a source water used in heating. The source water tank has aninlet port and an outlet port. A first check valve is connected to theoutlet port and prevents the source water from back-flowing towards thesource water tank. A heater is connected to the first check valve andheats the source water. A heating pipe interconnects the heater and theinlet port of the source water tank. A second check valve is installedbetween the heater and the inlet port of the source water tank. Thesecond check value prevents the source water circulating inside theheating pipe from back-flowing. The heater is penetrated internally andhas a heater-passing portion formed therein. One side of theheater-passing portion is connected to the first check valve, and theother side of the heater-passing portion is connected to the heatingpipe such that the source water supplied through the first check valveis heated into hot water and steam and supplied to the heating pipe in adirect-water type. A temperature sensor is coupled to one side of theheating pipe to measure a temperature of the heating pipe. A temperaturecontroller is connected to the temperature sensor to control theoperation of the heater according to a value measured in the temperaturesensor. A case accommodates the source water tank, the first and secondcheck valves and the heater. The hot water and steam generated in theheater is automatically circulated in a state of mixture.

Preferably, the heater includes a positive temperature coefficient (PTC)heater.

Preferably, the temperature controller includes: a power input unit forreceiving an external power; a signal input unit coupled to thetemperature sensor for receiving the value measured in the temperaturesensor; a temperature indicator for displaying the value measured in thetemperature sensor; a temperature-setting unit for setting a heatingtemperature; a power output unit for supplying a power to the heater;and a control unit for comparing the temperature value input to thesignal input unit with the temperature value set in thetemperature-setting unit and controlling the power to be supplied to theheater through the power output unit.

Preferably, a heat-storing material is filled in an extra space of thecase remaining after the source water tank, the first and second checkvalves and the heater are accommodated in the case.

Preferably, the heat-storing material is clay ceramic or germanium.

Advantageous Effects

According to the above-construction of the invention, the heater issupplied with a source water and heats the source water to generate hotwater and steam. The generated hot water and steam is automaticallycirculated inside the heating pipe in a state of mixture of hot waterand steam, thereby eliminating the need for a separate circulating meansfor circulating the hot water and steam.

In addition, according to the present invention, noises andelectromagnetic waves, which are caused by circulation of hot water andsteam, can be avoided. Since the heating pipe does not generate apressure, a light weight apparatus can be enabled, and fracture orexplosion due to internal pressure can be prevented.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will be apparent from the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments of the invention in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a heating apparatus according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view for explaining the operation of aheating apparatus according to the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a temperature controlleraccording to the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a plan view illustrating an exemplary application of a heatingapparatus according to the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating another exemplary application of aheating apparatus according to the present invention.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will bedescribed in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating a heating apparatus according to thepresent invention. FIG. 2 is a partial enlarged view for explaining theoperation of a heating apparatus according to the present invention.FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a temperature controlleraccording to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a plan view illustratingan exemplary application of a heating apparatus according to the presentinvention. FIG. 5 is a plan view illustrating another exemplaryapplication of a heating apparatus according to the present invention.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a heating apparatus 100 according to thepresent invention includes a source water tank 10 for storing a sourcewater and having an inlet port 12 and an outlet port 11 through whichthe source water flows into and out of the source water tank 10, a firstcheck value 20 connected to the outlet port 11, a heater 30 for heatingthe source water to generate hot water and steam, a heating pipe 40 forinter-connecting the heater 30 and the source water tank 10, a secondcheck value 21 disposed between the heater 30 and the source water tank10, a case containing the above elements, a temperature sensor 50 formeasuring the temperature of the heating pipe 40, and a temperaturecontroller 60.

The source water tank 10 stores the source water used in the heating upto a certain water level. The source water tank 10 is formed with theinlet port 12 and the outlet port 11 through which the source waterflows into and out of the source water tank 10. Further, a waterinjection port for injecting the source water may be formed in thesource water tank 10. At this time, the outlet port 11 may be installedat a position lower than the inlet port 12. It is preferable that thesource water is filled in the source water tank 10 up to about one thirdof the tank volume.

The first check value 20 is connected with the outlet port 11 of thesource water tank 10 in such a way that the source water flowing out ofthe source water tank 10 can be prevented from backward-flowing.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the heater 30 is to heat the source waterbeing supplied through the first check value 20. The heater 30 has amain body having a rectangular shape. A heater-passing portion 31 isformed in the center portion of the heater main body in the longitudinaldirection thereof.

At this time, the first check value 20 is connected to one end of theheater-passing portion 31, and the heating pipe 40 is connected to theother end of the heater-passing portion 31. The source water, which issupplied through the first check value 20, is heated inside theheater-passing portion 31 to generate hot water and steam. Due to theexpansion force of the generated steam, the hot water and steam issupplied to the heating pipe 40 in a state of mixture. Therefore, aseries of processes occurring in the heater 30, i.e., the processes forsupplying the source water, heating and discharging the heated sourcewater, is performed in a direct-water type.

The above heater 30 may employ a common heating means such as anelectric coil or a ceramic heater. Preferably, a positive temperaturecoefficient (PTC) heater can be used. In this way, a PTC heater, whichis a type of ceramic heater, is used to avoid generation ofelectromagnetic wave harmful to human health.

Here, the PTC heater is formed by mixing BaTiO3 and oxide such as asmall amount (approximately, 0.1˜1.5%) of potassium of group I orThorium or Yttrium of group III and sintering this mixture. This PTCheater has a relatively low resistance value at a lower temperature.When the temperature reaches above a certain level, the resistanceincreases rapidly and thus it stops heating to prevent over-heatingabove a certain temperature level. Thus, any additional means to preventover-heating is not necessary and the manufacturing process is simple,leading to a cost-saving.

The case 70 contains the above-described elements of the invention, andis formed of an empty body having an accommodation space inside thereof.A heat-storing material (not shown) can be filled in an extra space ofthe case remaining after all the elements are installed in the case. Atthis time, the heat-storing material may be one of clay-ceramic orgermanium. In case where this heat-storing material is filled inside thecase 70, the heat of hot water is prevented from discharging to theoutside of the system and far-infrared radiation useful to human healthoccurs.

The heating pipe 40 connects the heater 30 with the inlet port 12 of thesource water tank 10, and can be installed to heat a heating stone mat,a heating floor mat, a private small mat, a chair or the like. Theheating pipe 40 may be formed, for example, of P.E., copper, stainlesssteel, silicon or Teflon.

The second check value 21 may be installed between the heater 30 and theinlet port 12 of the source water tank 10. The second check value 21prevents back-flowing of the source water, which circulates the heatingpipe 40. Preferably, the second check value 21 is installed near theinlet port 12 of the source water tank 10.

The temperature sensor 50 is coupled to one side of the heating pipe 40and measures the temperature of the heating pipe 40. At this time, thetemperature sensor 50 is preferred to be installed near the second checkvalue 21. The measured temperature values are transmitted to thetemperature controller 60 electrically connected thereto. Details on thetemperature controller 60 will be described hereafter.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the temperature controller 60 includes a powerinput unit 61, a signal input unit 62 connected to the temperaturesensor 50 for receiving a value measured in the temperature sensor, atemperature indicator 63 for displaying the value measured in thetemperature sensor 50, a temperature-setting unit 64 for setting aheating temperature, a power output unit 65 for supplying a power to theheater, and a control unit 66 for comparing the temperature valueinputting to the signal input unit 62 with a temperature value set inthe temperature-setting unit 64 and controlling the power to be suppliedto the heater 30 through the power output unit 65. Here, the poweroutput unit 65 may convert an external power into a direct current,which is then supplied to the PTC.

In FIG. 3, the reference numeral 63 not described above denotes a powerswitch for supplying the external power into the temperature controller60 or interrupting the external power from the temperature controller60.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the heating apparatus having theabove-described construction may be applied to a heating mat 80, aheating floor mat 81 or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, in case where the heating apparatus is appliedto a heating mat 80, the heating pipe 40 is arranged in a zigzag fashioninside of the entire heating mat 80. Further, the source water tank, thecheck valve, and the case 70 housing the heater and the second checkvalve are installed at the inner side of the heating mat frame. Thetemperature controller 60 is installed in the outside of the apparatusat a position where a users head may be placed.

Although not illustrated, the case 70 and the temperature controller 60may be installed at the lower portion of the heating mat 80, i.e., at aposition where a users feet may be placed.

On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 5, in case where the heatingapparatus is applied to a heating floor mat 81, the heating pipe 40 isarranged in a zigzag fashion inside of the entire heating floor mat 81.Further, the case 70 and the temperature controller 60 may be installedoutside of the heating floor mat 81. At this time, the case 70 iscoupled to one side of the heating floor mat 81, and the temperaturecontroller 60 is coupled to one side of the case 70.

Although not described here, the heating apparatus according to thepresent invention may be applied to any place required to be heated,such as a heating bed, a clay bed, a private small mate, a chair or thelike.

Hereinafter, the operation of a heating apparatus using hot water andsteam according to the present invention will be explained.

In the operation of the heating apparatus 100 according to the presentinvention, first, the power switch 69 is made open to connect anexternal power to the power input unit 61 of the temperature controller61. The control unit 66 compares a temperature value set-up in thetemperature-setting unit 64 with a temperature value measured in thetemperature sensor 50, which is input through the signal input unit 62.If the temperature value set-up in the temperature-setting unit 64 islarger than the measured value, the power output unit 65 makes the powerto be supplied to the heater 30. At this time, the temperature valueset-up in the temperature-setting unit 64 is displayed in thetemperature display unit 63.

As described above, if the heater 30 is supplied with power, the sourcewater inside the heater-passing portion 31 of the heater 30 is heated toproduce hot-water, along with a certain amount of steam.

The hot-water and steam generated inside of the heater-passing portion31 is pushed into the heating pipe 40 due to an expansion force of thesteam in a mixture of hot-water and steam. At this time, back-flowing ofthe hot-water and steam into the source water tank 10 is prevented bythe first check value 20. Accordingly, the hot water and steam come toflow towards the heating pipe 40.

The hot water and steam circulating inside of the heating pipe 40 isflown into the source water tank 10 through the inlet port 12 via thesecond check value 21. At this time, the steam loses its heat energy andis flown into the source water tank 10 in a liquefied state. Inaddition, the source water in-flowing through the inlet port 12 isprevented from back-flowing towards the heating pipe 40 by the secondcheck valve 21.

In this way, if the heated source water and steam is pushed into theheating pipe 40, the source water stored in the source water tank 10 issupplied to the heater-passing portion 31 of the heater 30 through thefirst check valve 20. Accordingly, the circulation continues along aclosed loop, which is formed by the source water tank 10, the firstcheck value 20, the heater 30, the heating pipe 40 and the second checkvalve 50.

Therefore, the heating apparatus 100 enables the circulation of hotwater without using a separate circulating means. Thus, noises due tooperation of a circulating means can be avoided and electromagneticwaves are not generated. Further, it can avoid concerns about failure ofthe circulating pump and limited lifespan.

On the other hand, after accommodating the source water tank 10, thefirst and second check valves 20 and the heater 30 in the case, theextra space of the case is filled with a heat-storing material such asclay ceramic or germanium capable of generating far-infrared radiation,thereby maintaining the heat generated by the heater 30 and the like.Further, the far-infrared radiation generated from the heat-storingmaterial is useful to human health.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

According to the above-construction of the invention, the heater issupplied with a source water and heats the source water to generate hotwater and steam. The generated hot water and steam is automaticallycirculated inside the heating pipe in a state of mixture of hot waterand steam, thereby eliminating the need for a separate circulating meansfor circulating the hot water and steam.

In addition, according to the present invention, noises andelectromagnetic waves, which are caused by circulation of hot water andsteam, can be avoided. Since the heating pipe does not generate apressure, a light weight apparatus can be enabled, and fracture orexplosion due to internal pressure can be prevented.

While the present invention has been described with reference to theparticular illustrative embodiments, it is not to be restricted by theembodiments but only by the appended claims. It is to be appreciatedthat those skilled in the art can change or modify the embodimentswithout departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

1. A heating apparatus using hot water and steam, the apparatuscomprising: a source water tank for storing a source water used inheating, the source water tank having an inlet port and an outlet port;a first check valve connected to the outlet port for preventing thesource water from back-flowing towards the source water tank; a heaterconnected to the first check valve for heating the source water; aheating pipe for interconnecting the heater and the inlet port of thesource water tank; and a second check valve installed between the heaterand the inlet port of the source water tank and for preventing thesource water circulating the heating pipe from back-flowing, wherein theheater is penetrated internally and has a through-hole portion formedtherein, the heater-passing portion being connected at one side thereofto the first check valve and being connected at the other side thereofto the heating pipe such that the source water supplied through thefirst check valve is heated into hot water and steam and supplied to theheating pipe in a direct-water type; a temperature sensor coupled to oneside of the heating pipe to measure a temperature of the heating pipe; atemperature controller connected to the temperature sensor forcontrolling the operation of the heater according to a value measured inthe temperature sensor; and a case for accommodating the source watertank, the first and second check valves and the heater, wherein the hotwater and steam generated in the heater is automatically circulated in astate of mixture.
 2. The heating apparatus according to claim 1, whereinthe heater comprises a positive temperature coefficient (PTC) heater. 3.The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperaturecontroller comprises: a power input unit for receiving an externalpower; a signal input unit coupled to the temperature sensor forreceiving the value measured in the temperature sensor; a temperatureindicator for displaying the value measured in the temperature sensor; atemperature-setting unit for setting a heating temperature; a poweroutput unit for supplying a power to the heater; and a control unit forcomparing the temperature value input to the signal input unit with thetemperature value set in the temperature-setting unit and controllingthe power to be supplied to the heater through the power output unit. 4.The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a heat-storingmaterial is filled in an extra space of the case remaining after thesource water tank, the first and second check valves and the heater areaccommodated in the case.
 5. The heating apparatus according to claim 4,wherein the heat-storing material is clay ceramic or germanium.